Mask

ABSTRACT

The creation provides a mask having the function of heat preservation. The mask includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer. The inner layer is in contact with the user&#39;s face. The intermediate layer is located between the outer layer and the inner layer. The intermediate layer contains a base layer and a coating layer located on the base layer. The coating layer includes a paraffin particle and a first polymer, wherein the paraffin particle is dispersed in the first polymer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 103223405, filed on Dec. 31, 2014. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE CREATION

1. Field of the Creation

The creation relates to a mask, and more particularly, to a mask having the function of heat preservation.

2. Description of Related Art

In everyday life, a mask is widely used to block wind, and filter virus and dust. In general, a mask contains a body, a nose clamp, and two ear straps to isolate a pollution source or dust. To achieve the effect of isolation, various materials and improvement methods have been introduced in the market, such as adding active carbon, photocatalyst, or a drug for treating a nasal symptom in the mask, even providing heating function to the mask, so as to meet various needs of a consumer. Taiwan utility model patent M449599 provides a cape-style mask that can be placed in a thermal pack, and is used to facilitate sweat absorption and heat preservation in the neck and the shoulders. Taiwan utility model patent M462612 provides a nasal mask in which a heating substance is added to the filter portion, so as to increase temperature when cold air enters the nasal cavity. Taiwan utility model patent M485740 provides a heating mask containing a heating material on the inside, and the heating material contains iron powder, salt, active carbon, or a magnet.

However, although the above masks and nasal mask can achieve the effect of heating, temperature cannot be effectively controlled, and therefore the concern of user discomfort due to high temperature is often present.

SUMMARY OF THE CREATION

The creation provides a mask having the function of heat preservation. The mask can maintain a temperature of 35±5° C. for optimal human sensitivity, and therefore nasal comfort can still be achieved for a user in a harsh working environment.

A mask of the creation includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer. The inner layer is in contact with a user's face. The intermediate layer is located between the outer layer and the inner layer. The intermediate layer contains a base layer and a coating layer located on the base layer. The coating layer includes a paraffin particle and a first polymer, wherein the paraffin particle is dispersed in the first polymer.

In an embodiment of the creation, the coating layer is formed by applying a coating solution on the base layer and then drying, and the coating solution includes the paraffin particle, the first polymer, and a solvent.

In an embodiment of the creation, the thickness of the coating layer is 10 μm to 30 μm.

In an embodiment of the creation, the diameter of the paraffin particle is 80 nm to 200 nm.

In an embodiment of the creation, the paraffin particle includes a paraffin core portion and a cladding layer covering the surface of the paraffin core portion.

In an embodiment of the creation, the paraffin core portion is formed by a C₈ to C₃₀ hydrocarbon compound.

In an embodiment of the creation, the paraffin core portion includes a straight-chain hydrocarbon compound, a branched-chain hydrocarbon compound, a cyclic hydrocarbon compound, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the creation, the first polymer includes polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the creation, the polyurethane is aqueous polyurethane.

In an embodiment of the creation, based on a total amount of 100 wt % of the paraffin particle and the first polymer, the content of the paraffin particle is 20 wt % to 60 wt % and the content of the first polymer is 40 wt % to 80 wt %.

In an embodiment of the creation, the mask further includes two straps, wherein the outer layer, the inner layer, and the intermediate layer form a mask body, and the two straps are respectively located at two sides of the mask body.

Based on the above, in the creation, a coating layer including the paraffin particle and the first polymer is applied on the base layer, and temperature is maintained at 35±5° C. for optimal human sensitivity via the phase change of the paraffin particle in the first polymer under different ambient temperatures. Accordingly, a mask of the creation has the function of heat preservation, and can solve the known issue of high temperature of a heating mask.

In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the creation more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the creation, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the creation and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the creation.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a mask worn on a user according to an embodiment of the creation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic of the mask of FIG. 1 along line I-I′.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the relationship between surface temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a mask of the creation is described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic of a mask worn on a user according to an embodiment of the creation. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic of the mask of FIG. 1 along line I-I′. Referring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a mask 100 includes a mask body 120 and two straps 140, and the two straps 140 are respectively located at two sides of the mask body 120.

The mask body 120 includes an outer layer 122, an inner layer 124, and an intermediate layer 126. The inner layer 124 is in contact with a user's face F. The intermediate layer 126 is located between the outer layer 122 and the inner layer 124.

The outer layer 122 is, for instance, cotton or nonwoven fabric. When the outer layer 122 is nonwoven fabric, the mesh count thereof is 20 mesh to 1200 mesh.

The inner layer 124 is, for instance, cotton or nonwoven fabric. When the inner layer 124 is nonwoven fabric, the mesh count thereof is 20 mesh to 1200 mesh.

The intermediate layer 126 contains a base layer 126 a and a coating layer 126 b located on the base layer 126 a. In the present embodiment, the coating layer 126 b is located between the base layer 126 a and the inner layer 124, but the creation is not limited thereto. Specifically, the coating layer 126 b can also be located between the base layer 126 a and the outer layer 122; or located between the base layer 126 a and the inner layer 124 and between the base layer 126 a and the outer layer 122 at the same time.

The base layer 126 a is, for instance, cotton or nonwoven fabric. When the base layer 126 a is nonwoven fabric, the mesh count thereof is 20 mesh to 1200 mesh.

The coating layer 126 b can be used as a functional layer for heat preservation. The coating layer 126 b includes a paraffin particle and a first polymer, wherein the paraffin particle is dispersed in the first polymer. In the following, the paraffin particle and the first polymer are described in detail.

The first polymer includes polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic), polyurethane, or a combination thereof. The polyurethane can be solvent-based polyurethane or aqueous polyurethane, but from the perspective of human health, the polyurethane is preferably aqueous polyurethane. When the first polymer is aqueous polyurethane, an aqueous dispersing agent can be added in a coating solution described later (chemical dispersion) and the preparation of the coating solution can be performed via a homogenization machine (physical dispersion) so as to increase the degree of dispersion of the paraffin particle in the aqueous polyurethane.

Based on a total amount of 100 wt % of the paraffin particle and the first polymer, the content of the first polymer is 40 wt % to 80 wt %, preferably 45 wt % to 60 wt %, more preferably 45 wt % to 55 wt %.

The paraffin particle is a phase-change material (PCM). The heat of fusion of the paraffin particle generated during phase change can be stored, and the stored heat of fusion can be released during the next rapid change in temperature to achieve the efficacy of heat preservation. Specifically, when the ambient temperature is higher than 35+5° C. during use, the paraffin particle is dissolved in the first polymer. At this point, heat is absorbed such that the mixture is changed into a liquid, and therefore the effect of cooling is achieved. Moreover, when the ambient temperature is lower than 35±5° C. during use, the paraffin particle is precipitated in the first polymer. At this point, heat is released such that the mixture is changed into a solid, and therefore the effect of heating is achieved. For instance, when the ambient temperature is 40° C., the mask can absorb heat and be cooled to 35±5° C.; when the ambient temperature is 30° C., the mask can release heat and be cooled to 35±15° C. Here, when the human body is at 35±5° C., the sensitivity is optimal, and therefore discomfort from high temperature of a conventional commercial mask having heating function can be prevented. In short, in the creation, the effect of heat preservation is achieved via the phase change of the paraffin particle in the first polymer.

The diameter of the paraffin particle is 80 nm to 200 nm.

In an embodiment, the paraffin particle preferably includes a paraffin core portion and a cladding layer covering the surface of the paraffin core portion.

The paraffin core portion is formed by a C₈ to C₃₀ hydrocarbon compound.

The paraffin core portion includes a straight-chain hydrocarbon compound, a branched-chain hydrocarbon compound, a cyclic hydrocarbon compound, or a combination thereof, and is preferably a straight-chain hydrocarbon compound.

The paraffin forming the paraffin core portion is different according to process fineness, and can include fully-refined paraffin, semi-refined paraffin, crude paraffin, or a combination thereof, and is preferably semi-refined paraffin. Moreover, the paraffin forming the paraffin core portion can also include microcrystalline paraffin (molecular weight: 500 to 1000), liquid paraffin, polyethylene wax (low-molecular weight polyethylene having molecular weight of 1500 to 25000 or partially oxidized low-molecular weight polyethylene), or a combination thereof.

The cladding layer is formed by a second polymer, and the second polymer can facilitate the repeat of phase change and increase the degree of dispersion of the paraffin particle in the first polymer. Specific examples of the second polymer include polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic), polyol, or a combination thereof.

Based on a total amount of 100 wt % of the paraffin particle and the first polymer, the content of the paraffin particle is 20 wt % to 60 wt %, preferably 40 wt % to 55 wt %, more preferably 45 wt % to 55 wt %. When the content of the paraffin particle is 20 wt % to 60 wt %, the effect of heat preservation is good and the degree of dispersion of the paraffin particle in the first polymer is good. When the content of the paraffin particle is less than 20 wt %, the effect of heat preservation is poor. When the content of the paraffin particle is greater than 60 wt %, the degree of dispersion of the paraffin particle in the first polymer is poor.

Moreover, the coating layer 126 b is formed by applying a coating solution on the base layer 126 a and then drying, wherein the method of applying the coating solution on the base layer 126 a is, for instance, a coating method or an impregnation method. The coating solution includes the paraffin particle, the first polymer, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is used to control the viscosity of the coating solution. The solvent is, for instance, water. The solid content of the coating solution can be 10% to 50%. The thickness of the coating layer can be 10 μm to 30 μm, preferably 15 μm to 25 μm, more preferably 18 μm to 22 μm. When the thickness is within the above ranges, the effect of heat preservation and the breathability of the mask 100 are good. When the thickness is less than 10 μm, the effect of heat preservation is poor. When the thickness is greater than 30 μm, the drawback of poor breathability is present.

[Test Results of Heat Preservation]

In an embodiment of the creation, the intermediate layer of the mask is fabricated by using semi-refined paraffin as the paraffin particle, using aqueous polyurethane as the first polymer, using unwoven fabric as the base layer; and unwoven fabric is used as the inner layer 124 and the outer layer 122.

Table 1 shows the relationship between measured temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask (TAIWAN COMFORT CHAMP MFG co., ltd, three-layer nonwoven mask) placed in a thermostatic chamber at 12° C. and then transferred to a thermostatic chamber at 40° C. after thermal equilibrium is reached. Table 1 shows the relationship between surface temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask and the temperature difference between the mask of the creation and the conventional mask. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the relationship between surface temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask. It can be known from Table 1 and FIG. 3 that, heating of the mask of the creation in a thermostatic chamber at 40° C. is slower, and therefore the effect of heat preservation of the mask of the creation is better than that of the conventional mask.

TABLE 1 Mask of the Conventional Temperature Time creation mask difference 0.5 11.8 17.9 −6.1 1.0 14.0 22.2 −8.2 2.0 21.2 29.1 −7.9 3.0 24.3 32.3 −8.0 4.0 26.1 34.5 −8.4 5.0 28.0 35.8 −7.8 6.0 30.3 36.8 −6.5 7.0 31.6 37.5 −5.9 8.0 33.2 38.2 −5.0 10.0 35.7 39.7 −4.0

Table 2 shows the relationship between measured temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask (TAIWAN COMFORT CHAMP MFG co., ltd, three-layer nonwoven mask) placed in a thermostatic chamber at 40° C. and then transferred to a thermostatic chamber at 12° C. after thermal equilibrium is reached. Table 2 shows the relationship between surface temperature change and time of a mask of the creation and a conventional mask and the temperature difference between the mask of the creation and the conventional mask. It can be known from Table 2 that, cooling of the mask of the creation in a thermostatic chamber at 12° C. is slower, and therefore the effect of heat preservation of the mask of the creation is better than that of the conventional mask.

TABLE 2 Mask of the Conventional Temperature Time creation mask difference 0.5 39.6 36.3 3.3 1.0 39.2 33.8 5.4 2.0 35.4 29.0 6.4 3.0 32.9 25.3 7.6 4.0 30.3 21.6 8.7 5.0 28.2 19.6 8.6 6.0 25.9 17.7 8.2 7.0 23.9 16.1 7.8 8.0 22.0 14.8 7.2 10.0 19.0 12.4 6.6

Based on the above, in the creation, a coating layer including the paraffin particle and the first polymer is applied on the base layer, and temperature is maintained at 35±5° C. for optimal human sensitivity via the phase change of the paraffin particle in the first polymer under different ambient temperatures. Accordingly, a mask of the creation has the function of heat preservation, and can solve the known issue of high temperature of a heating mask.

Although the creation has been described with reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skills in the art that modifications to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the creation. Accordingly, the scope of the creation will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mask, comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer in contact with a user's face; and an intermediate layer located between the outer layer and the inner layer, the intermediate layer contains a base layer and a coating layer located on the base layer, the coating layer comprises a paraffin particle and a first polymer, wherein the paraffin particle is dispersed in the first polymer.
 2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the coating layer is formed by applying a coating solution on the base layer and then drying, and the coating solution comprises the paraffin particle, the first polymer, and a solvent.
 3. The mask of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the coating layer is 10 μm to 30 μm.
 4. The mask of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the paraffin particle is 80 nm to 200 nm.
 5. The mask of claim 1, wherein the paraffin particle comprises a paraffin core portion and a cladding layer covering a surface of the paraffin core portion.
 6. The mask of claim 5, wherein the paraffin core portion is formed by a C₈ to C₃₀ hydrocarbon compound.
 7. The mask of claim 5, wherein the paraffin core portion comprises a straight-chain hydrocarbon compound, a branched-chain hydrocarbon compound, a cyclic hydrocarbon compound, or a combination thereof.
 8. The mask of claim 1, wherein the first polymer comprises polymethylmethacrylate, polyurethane, or a combination thereof.
 9. The mask of claim 8, wherein the polyurethane is aqueous polyurethane.
 10. The mask of claim 1, wherein based on a total amount of 100 wt % of the paraffin particle and the first polymer, a content of the paraffin particle is 20 wt % to 60 wt % and a content of the first polymer is 40 wt % to 80 wt %.
 11. The mask of claim 1, further comprising two straps, wherein the outer layer, the inner layer, and the intermediate layer form a mask body, and the two straps are respectively located at two sides of the mask body. 